Now that Stella’s on the modeling circuit, this dress can be displayed as it should be. Several years ago I found this beauty – wish the photos did it justice. Gorgeous atomic/abstract/art swirl fabric in glossy and soft rayon. All hand-tailored. FAB!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Isn’t this a beautiful set? Made by a Toronto dressmaker. I knew you’d want to see these improved pictures. More to come . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
You know I have SO much lovely true vintage lingerie and a ton of 1950’s slips, but I still go giddy when I find another one. They’re just so beautiful with their lace, applique, ribbons, sumptuous fabric and elegant tailoring.
This one is by Warner’s in a lemon ice color. Just the right length for a bottom-of-the-knee dress or skirt, or a midi.
I’m so glad that we are not locked into a certain hem length for months (or years) like women were in the past. No more dread of appearing unfashionable or out-of-step.
Ha! Can hardly imagine it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
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Just as classic as the Little Black Dress, little black pumps are obviously just as iconic. Perfect style and durability for about 70 years. This is a dressier pair, of suede leather, which probably saved them the more frequent wear of an everyday shoe and preserved them for me.
I’m so glad! This heel height couldn’t be more comfortable – elegant and flattering, too.
Great for dancing.
And, sometimes, for making a quick get-away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I think we’ve got a good show-off of the clear vinyl and gold leather that was so popular in dressy sandals from the Fifties. These came from a private store in Chicago that had shoes specially made under their own label.
There are so many photographs of women in the ’50’s wearing gold dress sandals and sandals with clear vinyl vamps that it’s iconic of that time. Makes me think of Peggy Lee and Cotillion dinner – dances that were such popular social events then.
Off to the Country Club, anyone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
The original price is still visible on the soles, written in grease pencil. $14.99. Looks like they may have been tried on and that was it!
Dark coffee brown leather, with pert little bows on a v-shaped vamp – this pair comes from the late Forties to early Fifties. The Naturalizer brand was a closet staple for well-dressed women. It was the flagship brand for the Brown shoe company of St. Louis, MO since 1927.
It’s always important to do a background check . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG; MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
I absolutely LOVE discovering fashion finds with original documentation – what fabulous clues to many things about them! Original packaging, tags, sales slips – heaven!! And, fortunately, I’m there many times a year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Here we have pumps about 60 years old (and very well preserved) in their original box and tissue paper with a small card from the Brown Shoe Company telling about their business and the quality of their merchandise. The price of $14.99 is even hand-written on the box!
Black calf-skin leather mid-heels with crisp grosgrain bows on the vamps – insoles very neat and clean. Notice how many exclamation points I’ve used as I write about this. So great to have such beautiful, well-cared-for items with all of these original pieces of the puzzle . . . . . . . . . . . . All the long hours, vague directions, dark alley’s, dusty corners and encounters with shady characters are worth it!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Although the purse in the top left corner is similar to others that I’ve come up with recently, I’m glad to have it in a less-often-found silver fabric. The others are worth telling you about one at a time. Let’s start with the white beaded bag on top:
a very lovely little convertible clutch bag that can go from dressy day to summer evening and also would stand out as part of a bridal ensemble.
Just to the right of it is a fabric coin or lipstick purse made in Italy. Though it is just a purse accessory, the black satin and art print on front, as well as the filigree hardware make it a special keeper. Italian-made purses and shoes from the Fifties and Sixties were of the highest quality and design and are to die for.
At the bottom is a pretty little brocade purse that could be an accessory but is meant to stand on its own, when only the barest essentials are necessary. It’s very tiny, but unsnaps again to allow room for just a little more than the coin purse alone. Although you probably can’t read it, in the corner to the left of the top snap is embossed in gold script “B. Dainty”. Sweet!
Finally, the duchess of the lot is a fully-beaded clutch with a zipper top and silk lining. Of the finest materials and displaying the most hand-done workmanship, it’s probably the oldest.
Although I’ve been happy to discover so many evening bags recently, especially with thoughts of this year’s holiday season beginning to creep into mind, I most love the special pieces like these – makes the day’s adventure really fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
This slinky-knit dress has that wonderful heavy feel that was lost years ago. AND, such a fun print – it’s not atomic or the usual geometric – one of those that you can’t figure out what they must be . . . . . . . .
It apparently didn’t have a belt to start with, but I’m going to put one on. Just a simple, everyday dress but oh so vintage!
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Made of the finest Scottish wool and specially tailored for a specific brand name. Very nice detail on the jacket front, and in back it’s got a little belt with a center button that matches the silver ones on the pockets. The skirt is straight style with a back kick pleat.
A little big on me, but it might be worth having it altered to fit. I can’t get enough of the gorgeous jackets from that time and a pencil skirt is always wonderful. Classic mid-grey, also, is great to have on hand in mix-able pieces. I’m thrilled! One of the handbags I’ll show you tomorrow would look just lovely with this . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY
BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM
Magicvintagespy 